Can AI Replace Engineers? Agentic AI, Code Testing, and Real Enterprise Adoption | Ben Carle
In this episode of An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin speaks with Ben Carle, CEO of FullStack Labs, about the practical and provocative intersection of AI and software engineering. With a Ph.D. in computer science and years leading engineering teams, Ben brings deep insight into how enterprises are actually using AI, not just dreaming about it.
They explore how agentic AI is being applied to real workflows, from tools that now grade 80% of FullStack’s developer interviews to AI systems that evaluate sales calls and streamline compliance. Ben shares why AI won’t replace engineers anytime soon, but how it can supercharge senior developers, change how we test code, and shift the way teams think about developer productivity.
This conversation cuts through the hype and offers actionable insights on how companies can responsibly adopt AI by focusing on clean data, reliable outputs, and small, proven wins before scaling. Whether you're leading a dev team, managing a product, or thinking about how AI might disrupt your business, this episode is packed with value.
Ben Carle is the CEO of FullStack Labs, a leading software consultancy that builds custom applications for enterprises and startups across the U.S. and Latin America. With a Ph.D. in computer science and deep expertise in engineering management, Ben is a champion of AI-driven development and practical innovation. Under his leadership, FullStack Labs has built cutting-edge internal and client-facing tools, including AI systems that grade developer interviews, analyze customer interactions, and enhance enterprise workflows. Ben brings a sharp, grounded perspective on how agentic AI, responsible testing, and structured adoption can bring real value to engineering teams today. He’s passionate about helping companies leverage their existing data and talent to stay competitive in an AI-powered world.
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Takeaways
- AI helps senior devs, not replaces them.
- Agentic AI = smarter automation, not magic bots.
- AI testing is harder, so non-deterministic outcomes need new QA methods.
- FullStack's AI grades 80% of developer interviews.
- Enterprise clients focus on data readiness, not flashy tools.
- Proof-of-concept first: no ROI, no build.
- AI audits live phone calls for compliance more accurately than humans.
- Companies forget to capture training data from human workflows.
- AI is improving UX in complex spaces like healthcare.
- Vibe coding doesn’t work at enterprise scale.
- Trust in AI is growing, but slowly in large orgs.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction
04:12 Ads
05:27 Navigating AI in Enterprise Solutions
06:38 Why Aren’t Enterprise Companies Jumping into AI
09:51 What Expertise Enterprises Lack
12:26 Quality Assurance in AI Applications
15:14 Internal AI Tools and Processes
18:08 How to Hire Developers
20:29 AI in Developer Assessment and Certification
21:42 AI is Changing Developers' Behavior
26:25 AI's Role in Software Design and Architecture
28:49 Use Cases and the Future of AI in Development
33:32 The Integration of AI in Software Development
41:12 Identifying Suitable Use Cases for AI
50:01 Navigating Challenges in AI Adoption
54:32 Preparing for the Future of AI
58:24 Agentic AI
Connect with Ben
- Website: https://www.fullstack.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bencarle/
Connect with Vit
- Website: https://vitlyoshin.com/contact/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vit-lyoshin/
- X: https://x.com/vitlyoshin
Vit’s Other Project
- AI Assistant to build apps: https://appforgelab.com/
